Jon Rahm was asked about the impact of LIV Golf on his Masters preparations after having to fight back to make the cut at Augusta National on Friday
15:18, 11 Apr 2026Updated 15:18, 11 Apr 2026
Jon Rahm has acknowledged he needs a miracle(Image: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Golf star Jon Rahm has rubbished the notion that LIV Golf does not provide ample preparation to compete at the Masters. The Spaniard hung on to make the cut at Augusta after finishing tied 47th at the end of Friday.
Rahm was four over par after salvaging his tournament with a two-under par second day. His opening day round of six over ensured plenty of conversation over whether LIV stars are ill-prepared for the majors, after Bryson DeChambeau also had a difficult time, with figures such as Brandel Chamblee and Paul McGinley taking aim
But when asked whether he needed to make adjustments to return to the major format, Rahm fired back, adamant he had no reason to alter his approach. “None. Golf is golf,” he said.
Pushed on how LIV events prepare him for competing at Augusta, the 31-year-old said: “Same as any other golf tournament in the world.”
Rahm described his play on the opening day of the tournament as an ‘anomaly’ and admitted he would need a miracle to contend. “I felt really good all year besides yesterday,” he said.
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“Actually felt pretty good today as well. Yesterday was just an anomaly where everything that could go wrong went wrong. Not that I shot myself out of the tournament but I’m going to need an absolute miracle starting today and didn’t quite do enough.
“I’m going to need a heck of a round tomorrow to give myself a chance and even then, might be a little too far away.”
Rahm’s words follow comments from Chamblee, who was in disbelief at the Spaniard’s wayward opening round. “You’re talking, though, about a guy who hit 82% greens-in-regulation on LIV,” Chamblee said.
Jon Rahm had an opening day to forget at Augusta National(Image: Simon Bruty/Augusta National/Getty Images)
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“They’re not being challenged, they’re not being tested, and so they’re not ready. They’re playing golf courses that are not particularly hard, they’re not set up very hard, and they only have to beat five or six guys.
“If every single week you go out and you’re not challenged – when I look at the statistics, it’d be like if Steph Curry was shooting free-throws with a hula-hoop-sized rim and thinking he’s 100%. That’s the false arrogance they would have coming in here.”
Ex-European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was in agreement. “It’s a different dynamic, it’s a different business model and it’s a different environment for you to play golf in,” he said.
“You’ve got music, you’ve got golf courses that are set up for low scoring. It’s gung-ho golf, and then when you come here, you’re not mentally prepared for being knocked back.”
It’s not the first time that McGinley has taken aim at Rahm since his move to LIV. The Irishman cast doubt on the player’s ability to challenge at the likes of the Masters last year.
“Jon’s performances in majors since he’s gone to LIV have been disappointing,” the Dubliner said. “Because three years ago before he went to LIV, I would say he’s going to be an absolute powerhouse – not far from where we have Scottie [Scheffler] now.
“We haven’t seen that from Jon when he’s come back to the majors. Yes, he’s top 10 every week on LIV, but we’re really looking at the majors.”
“There’s nothing easy in life,” he added. “Yes, they can say they’ve made a lot of money. But they’re hurting on the other side in terms of coming to these major championships not on the cutting edge, as they would have been had they stayed on the PGA Tour.”
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